Continental Becomes First Automotive Supplier to Receive Nevada's Autonomous
Vehicle Testing License
-- Test vehicle to display the special Nevada red license plate
-- The highly automated vehicle represents a new driving technology; provides
a safer, more comfortable drive
PR Newswire
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 19, 2012
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Continental, a leading
global automotive supplier, today received approval from the Nevada Department
of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to test autonomous vehicles on the state's public
roads. Continental's testing license is for the company's highly automated
vehicle, and represents the first license granted by the Nevada DMV to an
automotive supplier.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121219/DE32585-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121219/DE32585-b )
"At Continental, we continue to invest in research and development for next
generation technologies – such as our highly automated vehicle – that will
drive us toward a safer, more efficient and more comfortable future," said Dr.
Elmar Degenhart, chairman of the executive board of Continental. "As a
company, Continental's strategy is clearly focused on making this type of
future technology a reality. It's clear to us that automated driving will be a
key element in the mobility of the future. As a system supplier, we are
perfectly positioned to develop and launch series production of solutions for
partially automated systems for our customers by 2016. We will be able to
develop the first applications for highly and ultimately fully automated
driving, even at higher speeds and in more complex driving situations, ready
for production by 2020 or 2025."
After completing driving demonstrations on December 18 in Carson City, the
DMV's Autonomous Review Committeeapproved Continental's safety plans,
employee training, system functions and accident reporting mechanisms.
Following approvals, Continental will receive its testing license and red
license plate featuring an infinity sign to represent the car of the future.
The plate is designed to be easily recognized by law enforcement and the
public at large. It will only be used for licensed autonomous test vehicles.
"Earning this license represents an important intermediate step towards
automated driving for Continental," said Christian Schumacher, Head of
Continental's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Business Unit in
NAFTA. "Continuing our research and testing in the most challenging
environment – public roads -- under the highest safety standards, will allow
us to continue to assess and develop our highly automated vehicle. This
vehicle demonstrates what modern technology can do to provide a safer, more
comfortable drive."
"We are proud that our state is serving as the platform for automated testing
and licensing. Nevada's steady climate, varying terrains and driving
conditions offer an excellent opportunity for more companies, especially
automotive organizations, to take advantage of this autonomous driving
opportunity," said Troy L. Dillard, Director Nevada Department of Motor
Vehicles. "Automated vehicles, such as the one Continental is testing,
illustrate the extensive research and development occurring within the
automotive industry and embody the future of a vehicle equipped to make the
driving experience safer and more enjoyable."
Continental's current highly automated vehicle is designed to always have a
driver monitoring the vehicle behind the wheel, unlike a completely automated
vehicle. Designed as a driver assist system, the automated vehicle can
accommodate multiple driving scenarios. Utilizing four short-range radar
sensors (two at the front, two at the rear), one long-range radar and a stereo
camera, the vehicle is capable of cruising down an open freeway as well as
negotiating heavy rush-hour traffic. Taking advantage of Continental's sensor
fusion technology as part of the ContiGuard safety concept, the vehicle is
able to track all objects as they enter into the sensors' field of view. The
object information is then processed and passed on to the Continental Motion
Domain Controller to control the vehicle's longitudinal and lateral motion via
signals to the engine, the brakes and the steering system.
The equipment in Continental's highly automated vehicle differs from the
customized sensors and tailor-made actuators in other automated vehicles. The
vehicle, which has logged more than 15,000 miles, is built primarily with
equipment that is already available in series production. Continental's short
term goal is to relieve the driver of tedious and monotonous activities, such
as driving on highways with minimal traffic or in low-speed situations like
traffic jams.
Although the concept of complete autonomous driving is valid, it is not yet
fully viable. Continental's highly automated vehicle, however, is an
intermediate step toward autonomous driving. Continental's vehicle brings us
closer to achieving the company's Vision Zero – the goal of reaching zero
accidents and zero fatalities on the roadways.
Continental will continue real world evaluations with this vehicle and
believes that a highly automated driving vehicle featuring traffic jam assist
will be introduced within the next few years.
About Continental:
With sales of €30.5 billion in 2011, Continental is among the leading
automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and
components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment
solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental
contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection.
Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication.
Continental currently has approximately 170,000 employees in 46 countries.
SOURCE Continental
Contact: Kathryn Blackwell, Vice President Communications and Marketing,
Continental Automotive, +1-248-393-6593, Cell +1-248-462-9114,
kathryn.blackwell@continental-corporation.com, Online media database,
www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com